Marco Chitti
@chittimarco.bsky.social
Researcher on urban planning and public transportation.
https://marcochitti.substack.com/
https://marcochitti.substack.com/
Pinned
Marco Chitti
@chittimarco.bsky.social
· Jun 21
It took quite a while, but the paper about the history of high-speed rail planning in Italy that I co-authored with @beriapaolo.bsky.social is finally out!
It's open source, so you can read it at length (it is pretty long),
But here is a TL;DR: 🧵
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
It's open source, so you can read it at length (it is pretty long),
But here is a TL;DR: 🧵
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"He did not give a date for when the ARTM believes it can resolve the issue."
I think I found the sentence that perfectly encapsulates the ethos of public services in Canada.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
I think I found the sentence that perfectly encapsulates the ethos of public services in Canada.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
REM users can't buy monthly transit passes at North Shore stations
"You can buy tickets at the station, but our Opus cards don't work," one commuter said.
montrealgazette.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:43 AM
"He did not give a date for when the ARTM believes it can resolve the issue."
I think I found the sentence that perfectly encapsulates the ethos of public services in Canada.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
I think I found the sentence that perfectly encapsulates the ethos of public services in Canada.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
"Cittadini
(...)
Bologna non deve soffocare
The city administration believes that the only solution is to reduce the use of private vehicles wherever possible. Increased speed and frequency of public transportation, as well as free travel during certain time slots, could make travel easier."
(...)
Bologna non deve soffocare
The city administration believes that the only solution is to reduce the use of private vehicles wherever possible. Increased speed and frequency of public transportation, as well as free travel during certain time slots, could make travel easier."
November 25, 2025 at 7:55 PM
"Cittadini
(...)
Bologna non deve soffocare
The city administration believes that the only solution is to reduce the use of private vehicles wherever possible. Increased speed and frequency of public transportation, as well as free travel during certain time slots, could make travel easier."
(...)
Bologna non deve soffocare
The city administration believes that the only solution is to reduce the use of private vehicles wherever possible. Increased speed and frequency of public transportation, as well as free travel during certain time slots, could make travel easier."
Apropos fares, this is TPer Bologna allowing on-board cash single ticket purchase from a coin machine, but trying to discourage you from doing it by any mean.
They really don't like to handle cash, especially coins.
They really don't like to handle cash, especially coins.
November 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Apropos fares, this is TPer Bologna allowing on-board cash single ticket purchase from a coin machine, but trying to discourage you from doing it by any mean.
They really don't like to handle cash, especially coins.
They really don't like to handle cash, especially coins.
For the first time in maybe 30 years, Italy is going through a phase of apparent political stability, with the two main coalitions essentially stable in polls for the last three years and local elections not moving the needle much
Regional elections went as expected.
Veneto: R
Campania, Apulia: L
Regional elections went as expected.
Veneto: R
Campania, Apulia: L
Italy, 68% of polling stations counted:
Apulia regional presidential election
Decaro (PD-S&D): 64.6%
Lobuono (*~EPP|ECR|PfE): 34.5%
Donno (PCI~LEFT): 0.7%
Mangano (*): 0.2%
➤ europeelects.eu/italy
#Puglia #Regionali2025
Apulia regional presidential election
Decaro (PD-S&D): 64.6%
Lobuono (*~EPP|ECR|PfE): 34.5%
Donno (PCI~LEFT): 0.7%
Mangano (*): 0.2%
➤ europeelects.eu/italy
#Puglia #Regionali2025
November 24, 2025 at 7:48 PM
For the first time in maybe 30 years, Italy is going through a phase of apparent political stability, with the two main coalitions essentially stable in polls for the last three years and local elections not moving the needle much
Regional elections went as expected.
Veneto: R
Campania, Apulia: L
Regional elections went as expected.
Veneto: R
Campania, Apulia: L
The right comparison in terms of benefit/cost is not between the REM and the old Deux-Montagnes line, but between the REM and a D-M line modernized to have level platforms, full accessibility, double tracks, grade-separated, with E-Montpetit and McGill stations etc.
Or we could celebrate that the most advanced metro line on the continent just opened and acknowledge that a lot of the money that went into grade separation and accessible station construction would've had to have gone toward the Deux-Montagnes Line anyway, except with higher operating costs.
November 24, 2025 at 3:37 AM
The right comparison in terms of benefit/cost is not between the REM and the old Deux-Montagnes line, but between the REM and a D-M line modernized to have level platforms, full accessibility, double tracks, grade-separated, with E-Montpetit and McGill stations etc.
I'm always suspicious of any kind of ranking based on made up metrics, but seeing Bologna in the top 30 makes me even more suspicious.
Don't get me wrong, biking in Bologna is ok, but mostly despite public policies or as a collateral consequence of urban history and traffic management
Don't get me wrong, biking in Bologna is ok, but mostly despite public policies or as a collateral consequence of urban history and traffic management
November 23, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I'm always suspicious of any kind of ranking based on made up metrics, but seeing Bologna in the top 30 makes me even more suspicious.
Don't get me wrong, biking in Bologna is ok, but mostly despite public policies or as a collateral consequence of urban history and traffic management
Don't get me wrong, biking in Bologna is ok, but mostly despite public policies or as a collateral consequence of urban history and traffic management
The new standard bus stop poles of Lombardy spotted out in the wild.
They are part of a broader effort to harmonize transit wayfinding across the region between all providers.
They are part of a broader effort to harmonize transit wayfinding across the region between all providers.
November 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The new standard bus stop poles of Lombardy spotted out in the wild.
They are part of a broader effort to harmonize transit wayfinding across the region between all providers.
They are part of a broader effort to harmonize transit wayfinding across the region between all providers.
Apparently North America has been in the business of building oversized pedestrian safety infrastructure intended to withstand heavy vehicles running at high speed for a while.
3 views of a TTC streetcar passenger safety platform, with protecting beacon and buffer, St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto - Nov. 22, 1928
📸: Alfred Pearson
City of Toronto Archives
#OTD #OnThisDay #1920s #streetcar #transit #torontohistory #toronto #canada #hopkindesign
📸: Alfred Pearson
City of Toronto Archives
#OTD #OnThisDay #1920s #streetcar #transit #torontohistory #toronto #canada #hopkindesign
November 22, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Apparently North America has been in the business of building oversized pedestrian safety infrastructure intended to withstand heavy vehicles running at high speed for a while.
Metrolinx: we'll need to do discontinuous electrification at Union Station because we can't touch the heritage canopy
SBB/CFF/FFS: we are raising the existing canopy at the Gare de Lausanne by 1 m and move it laterally by 90 cm to slightly modify the tracks' geometry.
youtu.be/CNuJLQguRgo?...
SBB/CFF/FFS: we are raising the existing canopy at the Gare de Lausanne by 1 m and move it laterally by 90 cm to slightly modify the tracks' geometry.
youtu.be/CNuJLQguRgo?...
Gare de Lausanne; la métamorphose expliquée.
YouTube video by SBB CFF FFS
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Metrolinx: we'll need to do discontinuous electrification at Union Station because we can't touch the heritage canopy
SBB/CFF/FFS: we are raising the existing canopy at the Gare de Lausanne by 1 m and move it laterally by 90 cm to slightly modify the tracks' geometry.
youtu.be/CNuJLQguRgo?...
SBB/CFF/FFS: we are raising the existing canopy at the Gare de Lausanne by 1 m and move it laterally by 90 cm to slightly modify the tracks' geometry.
youtu.be/CNuJLQguRgo?...
The first of 20 new trams for Naples was delivered yesterday.
They are manufactured by the Turkish Bozankaya.
youtube.com/shorts/ahrCq...
They are manufactured by the Turkish Bozankaya.
youtube.com/shorts/ahrCq...
Napoli, arrivato il primo nuovo tram
YouTube video by MadecoNapoli
youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The first of 20 new trams for Naples was delivered yesterday.
They are manufactured by the Turkish Bozankaya.
youtube.com/shorts/ahrCq...
They are manufactured by the Turkish Bozankaya.
youtube.com/shorts/ahrCq...
Transit Signal Priority is an umbrella term for multiple strategies that reduce delays for transit vehicles at signalized intersections, potentially down to zero.
Here, I'm comparing the trade-offs between a "French-style" and an "in-phase" TSP strategy, more common in North America.
Here, I'm comparing the trade-offs between a "French-style" and an "in-phase" TSP strategy, more common in North America.
November 20, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Transit Signal Priority is an umbrella term for multiple strategies that reduce delays for transit vehicles at signalized intersections, potentially down to zero.
Here, I'm comparing the trade-offs between a "French-style" and an "in-phase" TSP strategy, more common in North America.
Here, I'm comparing the trade-offs between a "French-style" and an "in-phase" TSP strategy, more common in North America.
Si j'étais la STM ou l'ARTM ou la MIQ (et déjà là on voit le problème du qui fait quoi), je mettrai toutes me ressources à définir un plan pour prolonger la ligne orange jusqu'à Bois-Franc au moindre coût possible, on se donnant comme objectif de faire ça pour moins de $3-400 million (en $2025).
November 19, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Si j'étais la STM ou l'ARTM ou la MIQ (et déjà là on voit le problème du qui fait quoi), je mettrai toutes me ressources à définir un plan pour prolonger la ligne orange jusqu'à Bois-Franc au moindre coût possible, on se donnant comme objectif de faire ça pour moins de $3-400 million (en $2025).
Bordeaux was probably the French tram network that most resembled in its design the idea of modern french trams as "2D metros", i.e. with lines that are operationally independent.
It's now moving to a more interlined structure, as more and more French systems are doing.
youtube.com/shorts/17HtT...
It's now moving to a more interlined structure, as more and more French systems are doing.
youtube.com/shorts/17HtT...
À partir du 6 décembre, 2 nouvelles lignes de tram vont ouvrir à Bordeaux ! #bordeaux #tramway
YouTube video by Transit Explained
youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Bordeaux was probably the French tram network that most resembled in its design the idea of modern french trams as "2D metros", i.e. with lines that are operationally independent.
It's now moving to a more interlined structure, as more and more French systems are doing.
youtube.com/shorts/17HtT...
It's now moving to a more interlined structure, as more and more French systems are doing.
youtube.com/shorts/17HtT...
Are there other countries that make a distinction between personal and impersonal passes in transit, like many Italian cities do? Like, you get a lower price if your pass is on a card with a single holder's name than on a card anyone can use (Impersonale).
November 19, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Are there other countries that make a distinction between personal and impersonal passes in transit, like many Italian cities do? Like, you get a lower price if your pass is on a card with a single holder's name than on a card anyone can use (Impersonale).
Interesting video showing what has been done so far on Rome's MC Piazza Venezia station, as the construction moves to the second phase after two years.
youtu.be/Qx9clK3Cyz4?...
youtu.be/Qx9clK3Cyz4?...
Linea C Metropolitana di Roma - Stazione Venezia - Completati i lavori della macrofase 1
YouTube video by Webuild S.p.A.
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Interesting video showing what has been done so far on Rome's MC Piazza Venezia station, as the construction moves to the second phase after two years.
youtu.be/Qx9clK3Cyz4?...
youtu.be/Qx9clK3Cyz4?...
First time taking the REM in regular service between McGill and Édouard-Montpetit.
On the positive side, the system already feels quite busy for 3 PM
On the negative side, 10-minutes mid-day frequencies are meh. Let's hope it's temporary.
On the positive side, the system already feels quite busy for 3 PM
On the negative side, 10-minutes mid-day frequencies are meh. Let's hope it's temporary.
November 18, 2025 at 8:32 PM
First time taking the REM in regular service between McGill and Édouard-Montpetit.
On the positive side, the system already feels quite busy for 3 PM
On the negative side, 10-minutes mid-day frequencies are meh. Let's hope it's temporary.
On the positive side, the system already feels quite busy for 3 PM
On the negative side, 10-minutes mid-day frequencies are meh. Let's hope it's temporary.
Apparently "discenderie" is a word in French too, according to TELT.
November 18, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Apparently "discenderie" is a word in French too, according to TELT.
"Due to changes in BNSF requirements [...] (t)he increased width of the Pergola structure resulted in deeper pergola beams, wider and deeper edge beams, and larger diameter columns and foundations (i.e increased quantities in concrete and reinforcing steel)."
November 17, 2025 at 10:19 PM
"Due to changes in BNSF requirements [...] (t)he increased width of the Pergola structure resulted in deeper pergola beams, wider and deeper edge beams, and larger diameter columns and foundations (i.e increased quantities in concrete and reinforcing steel)."
RFI's multi-year capital plan gives me increasing "graphic design is my passion" vibes.
I bet they are using PowerPoint or an equivalent to draw these service diagrams...
I bet they are using PowerPoint or an equivalent to draw these service diagrams...
November 17, 2025 at 2:29 PM
RFI's multi-year capital plan gives me increasing "graphic design is my passion" vibes.
I bet they are using PowerPoint or an equivalent to draw these service diagrams...
I bet they are using PowerPoint or an equivalent to draw these service diagrams...
Reposted by Marco Chitti
How do I explain to laypeople that expropriating 0.9 sqm is not really something worth a news but it's a pretty common thing for projects that insists on the public right-of-way?
www.tvanouvelles.ca/2025/11/14/t...
www.tvanouvelles.ca/2025/11/14/t...
Tramway: une procédure d’expropriation pour 0,9 mètre carré
Pour les besoins du tramway, la Ville de Québec a enclenché le processus d’expropriation pour une minuscule bande de terrain de 0,9 mètre carré.
www.tvanouvelles.ca
November 15, 2025 at 12:34 AM
How do I explain to laypeople that expropriating 0.9 sqm is not really something worth a news but it's a pretty common thing for projects that insists on the public right-of-way?
www.tvanouvelles.ca/2025/11/14/t...
www.tvanouvelles.ca/2025/11/14/t...
Frequency matters, proof number 256384648
Bologna Mazzini, avg weekday, boarding/alighting
24 trains /day, 1-2 tph*dir
2019, Nov: 264 / 335
2019, Jul: 257 / 287
⬇️
55 trains/day, 3-4 tph*dir
2024, Nov: 669 / 764
2025, Jul: 673 / 734
Users have been multiplied by around 2-2.5 (+150-ish%)
Bologna Mazzini, avg weekday, boarding/alighting
24 trains /day, 1-2 tph*dir
2019, Nov: 264 / 335
2019, Jul: 257 / 287
⬇️
55 trains/day, 3-4 tph*dir
2024, Nov: 669 / 764
2025, Jul: 673 / 734
Users have been multiplied by around 2-2.5 (+150-ish%)
November 14, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Frequency matters, proof number 256384648
Bologna Mazzini, avg weekday, boarding/alighting
24 trains /day, 1-2 tph*dir
2019, Nov: 264 / 335
2019, Jul: 257 / 287
⬇️
55 trains/day, 3-4 tph*dir
2024, Nov: 669 / 764
2025, Jul: 673 / 734
Users have been multiplied by around 2-2.5 (+150-ish%)
Bologna Mazzini, avg weekday, boarding/alighting
24 trains /day, 1-2 tph*dir
2019, Nov: 264 / 335
2019, Jul: 257 / 287
⬇️
55 trains/day, 3-4 tph*dir
2024, Nov: 669 / 764
2025, Jul: 673 / 734
Users have been multiplied by around 2-2.5 (+150-ish%)
When is the next US government shutdown due? Is there a calendar for the next century like for eclipses, or is it more like northern lights that you only know with short notice?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
When is the next US government shutdown due? Is there a calendar for the next century like for eclipses, or is it more like northern lights that you only know with short notice?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.